5.3 Fish Quota Management

In 2022, DAFM was responsible for the management of over 158,383 tonnes of fish quotas. The management arrangements for quotas differ from species to species and are determined by the Minister following regular formal consultation with industry representatives. A key objective of whitefish quota management is the avoidance of very early closure of fisheries through rapid exhaustion of quota. This is important as our whitefish fisheries are mixed, and an early closure may lead to discarding of fish and would undermine the effective implementation of the landing obligation which prohibits discarding of fish at sea.

The nine principal pelagic stocks of mackerel, Irish sea herring, Celtic sea herring, northwest herring, atlanto-scandian herring, horse mackerel, blue whiting, boarfish and albacore tuna are also managed. The particular management of each is further subdivided between various sectors of the fleet. The fishing of pelagic species is generally confined to spring and the autumn. Since 1st January 2015, pelagic stocks have been subject to the landing obligation.

In December 2017, to align the principles of the landing obligation to Ireland’s quota management system, a conservation measure was put in place. The measure, a quota balancing policy for pelagic stocks, was put in at the request and in cooperation with industry representatives. This was expanded to cover key demersal (whitefish) stocks in a policy set down in April 2019. Quota balancing means that when a catch limit allocated to a vessel is exceeded, a balancing adjustment will be made from future allocations of fishing opportunities and will operate independently of any other action being considered by the control authorities. Pelagic stocks have been quota balanced for all years commencing in 2018. Quota balancing for five key demersal (whitefish) stocks was implemented in 2020 and 2021. From 01 January 2022, four additional demersal (whitefish) stocks became subject to quota balancing.

In 2022, a total of 110 tonnes of demersal stocks, with an estimated overall value of €0.32 million, were recouped, and over 5,800 tonnes of pelagic stocks were recouped quota, with an estimated value of over €3.8 million.

Figure from page 179